Highland’s do-everything backstop drives team to perfect week

POCATELLO — The Highland Rams bounced back from a 2-1 series loss to conference rival Madison with a perfect 3-0 week, which featured wins over Rigby — another conference foe — and Century.

Several Rams starred, but none brighter than catcher Cannon Eddie, who homered twice in Tuesday’s 10-6 victory over the Trojans.

Both homers from the right-handed swinger went to right-center field, which is where his power usually shows most, according to head coach Christian Colonel.

“His power is, really, to the opposite field. He does a really good job (going that way),” Colonel said.

But Eddie is so much more than a power threat.

As Highland’s everyday catcher, he takes on a leadership role — one evident to all observers, who will constantly hear his voice throughout Rams games.

“He’s got a high baseball IQ. It’s good to have him catching — he’s been catching for us since his freshman year, every game,” Colonel said.

Playing baseball’s most physically demanding position can cost a player their power at the plate. But that it obviously not the case for the Highland junior. And being in the squat all game will normally rob the catcher of his speed. But Eddie uses his smarts on the basepaths to compensate for those catcher’s legs.

Eddie’s high-IQ baserunning combined with his ability to get on base at a high clip go hand-in-hand with impressive oppo power, making him the rare example of a leadoff-hitting catcher.

During Highland’s 10-0 mercy-rule win over the Diamondbacks Saturday, Eddie did not homer. He did, however, get on base three times, triggering three separate rallies.

“I bat Cannon leadoff because his on-base percentage is really good, he’s got a really good eye, and he’s actually a really good base-runner for not being the fastest guy on the team. He’s a really good lead-off hitter,” Colonel said.

Highland (8-8, 3-3) is looking up to the Bobcats (12-6, 7-2) in the 6A High Country Conference standings, with just over a week left in the regular season. The Rams and Eddie are looking for a return trip to the state tournament, and an improvement on their consolation finish last season.